I'm thinking of quitting this band. Do you think I should?

@TheHorse (206066)
Walnut Creek, California
June 10, 2018 2:10am CST
Do you think I should quit this band? The leader is a "diva." She is a decent singer, but she loves the spotlight, and doesn't fully appreciate the musicians she's surrounded herself with. She has knocked over my $4000 Collings OM-1 guitar (without saying sorry or asking if the guitar was OK), and never paid me for a gig I played where she forgot that I told her I'd be there. My buddy Michael is taking a break from the band, and I think I'm ready to do the same. What would you do in my situation? I'll attach a link to a song in which I play bass and sing lead. She never thanked me, Vanny, or DJ for the hours it took to make the video in which she sings lead (or the attached video, with me on lead).
"Take Me Back to Tulsa" by Bob Wills and Tom Duncan Performed by The Diablo Rhythm Wranglers Recorded by - Michael Stenberg
20 people like this
24 responses
@JudyEv (325983)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jun 18
I know you've already quit and I'm sure you've done the right thing. It's not your full-time job and if you're not enjoying, you might as leave and find something you enjoy.
4 people like this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 18
Yep. This afternoon I'll enjoy jamming, and maybe recording, with my buddy Mike.
3 people like this
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Jun 18
@JudyEv said it well.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325983)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jun 18
@TheHorse And drinking the Glenlivet.
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
10 Jun 18
If John Lennon left the Beatles, the Horse can leave the Diablo Rhythm Wranglers. Thanks to Vandana and DJ for the lyrics
4 people like this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 18
Heh heh.
2 people like this
@vandana7 (98873)
• India
11 Jun 18
LOL..top...you are playing your cards right..LOL
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
10 Jun 18
Only you can make the decision. Here are a couple of questions: Would you be happier if you quit? Could you financially manage without this work?
3 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
10 Jun 18
@TheHorse I wish you the best!
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 18
Yes, and Oh Hell Yes!
2 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
11 Jun 18
If its not fun, don`t do it. She sounds like a user and they is all.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Jun 18
Yep, I let her know today.
1 person likes this
@spiderdust (14741)
• San Jose, California
10 Jun 18
I know you've really enjoyed the times when you and someone else from the band did your own thing. Maybe you should create your own band apart from her? I think you'd enjoy that more. Otherwise I'm in agreement with everyone else -- if it ain't fun, don't keep doing it.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 18
Yeah, Mike and I rocked the old folks home. And in the country band, we had a great time at a gig without our leader. I'm sticking that one (the country band) out for now.
3 people like this
@spiderdust (14741)
• San Jose, California
10 Jun 18
@TheHorse I actually looked over this list of bands to see if you were playing in our area, but I didn't see The Diablo Rhythm Wranglers.
Schedule and information for Vasona Lake County Parks' free, outdoor, acoustic music concert series,
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
10 Jun 18
Hi Colin. I would choose to leave and create a new band. That way, you will not have to deal with her "diva" attitude.
3 people like this
@vandana7 (98873)
• India
11 Jun 18
What happens to known devil being better than unknown devil? LOL More seriously...this would not work. There has to be equal share in the group. Pony's voice is good. Songs need to be shared...I heard his friend Mike singing too. He is also good. So the songs to be sung should be alternated...kind of the Diva starts, followed by Pony, followed by Mike, followed by group number, and so on. Every singer needs to be pushed in front...that way tastes of all listeners are catered to.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 18
I think that's what I'll do. I will try to let her know today, and take my time about putting some good musicians together.
3 people like this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
11 Jun 18
@TheHorse Finally. You are able to breathe a little.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157622)
• United States
10 Jun 18
Probably should leave, as the agitation will drive you crazy.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 18
Yeppers. It's not worth it.
@BarBaraPrz (45523)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
10 Jun 18
Well, the votes are in and it's unanimous: Quit.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 18
I did.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (45523)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
11 Jun 18
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
11 Jun 18
Sounds as if you should take a break. Why bother with the extra stress and not be appreciated.
2 people like this
@rebelann (111223)
• El Paso, Texas
8 Jun 19
I have to agree with you. But then I don't bother with people who have no appreciation for me or what I try to do for them.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Jun 19
Yeppers. I DID quit that band. I occasionally sit in with them. But I'm not "beholden" to them.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Jun 19
@rebelann Exactly. I tire of people who are into themselves and nobody else.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (48446)
• Mojave, California
10 Jun 18
Yes since, especially musicians seem to like to take their own life. Maybe not that serious but is how it all starts. Get out if it and move on whether you take a pay hit or hard to find people who want to play with you. Like I say may be a lot poorer in life in general but indeed more happy because get to do what suits me best. That's just life where this sounds more like a hobby but only because think you know how hard it is to make it as a musician.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 18
Fortunately for me, I have "day jobs" as well. And I'm in two other bands.
1 person likes this
@id_peace (14005)
• Singapore
10 Jun 18
Just leave since she does not pay you for the gig.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 18
Thanks. I'm less concerned about the money than I am about the way she treats those around her.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458583)
• Switzerland
10 Jun 18
I agree with JJ, if you have no more fun playing with them, quit.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458583)
• Switzerland
11 Jun 18
@TheHorse I am sure you took the right decision, when you are concerned about your instruments you stop having fun.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 18
I was starting to feel scared for my instruments. I did quit today.
2 people like this
@franxav (13605)
• India
10 Jun 18
Listen to your heart.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 18
I did.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129491)
• Israel
10 Jun 18
@TheHorse I can understand why you want to quit it. Is there another band or can you start your own instead?
2 people like this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 18
I'm in two other bands. Plus I get "picked up" now and then by other friends to play bass or guitar. So there's plenty of music to be played.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (98873)
• India
11 Jun 18
First ..how is your Collings OM-1 guitar? Secondly, I won't deny that I put in extra effort to get your Diva to like Sugarmoon, and was a bit hurt that she did not mention whether she liked it or not. She may have liked it, but YouTube does not show. But to be fair to her, she does not know me. You call me vanny. She sees my full name. DJ is not even there with her comments. But yeah..I did try to make it interesting. I was hoping she would ask you to upload more of her numbers and get us to add those pictures ... but it was not to be. Tell you what....... you and Mike start a band of your own...come up with a few numbers, and we will upload them. Then you can give the address and contact number of some place for contacting you two for gigs in the white area below. Whether you did right or wrong ...I can't say. You feel good about it? Then it is right. You have a few regrets? Then it is not. But what is done is done. Move on to the next thing - who knows you might become so famous that you won't even recognize DJ and me. :)
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (98873)
• India
11 Jun 18
@TheHorse Coming from you, it is a huge compliment. My way of expressing thanks is different. Don't ever grumble that I don't thank you enough. You will get spanked.
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Jun 18
The Collings is OK. I buffed out the scratches, which were limited to the headstock. I actually took my Glenlivet over to Mike's house last night, and Mike Rod and I celebrated with some imbibing and some music. I was actually on PIANO last night, and we did some jazz standards with Mike singing. This could be an enjoyable new "thing," even if we don't take it "out." I don't know if Debbie even checks Sugar Moon. It's done the best of any of her songs on the internet, but she's never thanked me (and by extension, you and DJ) for posting it.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
10 Jun 18
I'd quit without having second thoughts.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Jun 18
Heh. I did.
1 person likes this
@rakski (112925)
• Philippines
10 Jun 18
I agree with you. If that is the situation
1 person likes this
@rakski (112925)
• Philippines
11 Jun 18
@TheHorse good luck to you. I hope you find a new one wherein you can be happy
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Jun 18
@rakski Heh. I'm in two other bands. That's enough!
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 18
I let her know today.
1 person likes this
@cintol (11261)
• United States
11 Jun 18
If your not appreciated then yes, you should leave. I think you could make it on your own or with the other two that have worked with you.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Jun 18
Last night I got together with Mike (who also quit this band) and Rod (whom we play with in the Country band) and we had a great time playing some jazz standards. Rod was on bass, Mike sang and played guitar, and I played PIANO! I brought my celebratory Scotch over (a gift to myself) and we imbibed and BBQed as well.
1 person likes this
@cintol (11261)
• United States
11 Jun 18
@TheHorse Well sounds like you made the right choice and are much happier for it. Nice that you guys got together and had a stressless night with food and drink as well! Good food, drink, music and company, doesn't get much better than that.
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
11 Jun 18
I think you should quit and create your own band..
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Jun 18
I quit this band and celebrated by buying a $30 bottle of single-malt Scotch and sharing/playing some traditional jazz tunes with two friends who are good musicians.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Jun 18
@Jessabuma It was really fun. I imagine well do it again. Music can be a form of "social interaction." At this point, we don't care if we "take it on the road."
1 person likes this
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
12 Jun 18
@TheHorse Ohh I see. Enjoy your time together
1 person likes this
@Craigba (40)
• Kempton Park, South Africa
11 Jun 18
I see that you already left, but did you at least try and approach the topic with her. Leaving is all well and good - people need to go their separate ways, but recently one of the teams that I was part of split up - and I thought that it was only right to have approached the topic before splitting. If you spoke to her and she was a diva about it, then fine. Otherwise everyone deserves a chance to correct their behaviour
@TheHorse (206066)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Jun 18
I did not get a sense that her behavior would change.
• Kempton Park, South Africa
11 Jun 18
@TheHorse Fair enough, you know her better, but you'd be surprised. Some people act like that without even thinking about it...